Modi visit will highlight deepening Indo-US relationship: WH

Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the American capital will highlight the “deepening of the US-India relationship”, the White House has said. “The visit will highlight the deepening of the US-India relationship in key areas since the President’s visit to New Delhi in January 2015,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Jennifer Friedman told reporters abroad Air Force One while travelling with US President Barack Obama to Miami, Florida.

“Among the issues that the President looks forward to discussing are progress made on climate change and clean energy partnership, security and defence cooperation, and economic growth priorities,” Friedman said.”There is a whole host of issues where our relationship and partnership is robust and important — everything ranging from climate to military steps we’re taking, to a whole host of economic steps that we’re working on together,” she said. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive in Washington DC on June 6 on a three-day visit. This will be his fourth visit to the US.

Soon after his arrival, he is scheduled to lay a wreath at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery where he will be accompanied by US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter, Pentagon said yesterday. He is scheduled to meet President Obama at the White House on June 7 and address a joint meeting of the US Congress on June 8. He will only be the fifth Indian Prime Minister to address a joint session of Congress. Meanwhile, a series of protests have been planned against Modi during the visit. Several human rights groups and Indian Americans organisations representing minority community are planning to hold protest rallies in and around the White House and the US Capitol. Sikhs organisations and separatist Kashmiri groups are also planning protests. PTI